AT WWII MEMORIAL, VETERANS QUESTION CLOSURE

WASHINGTON 
A half-dozen members of Congress clamored in front of cameras to push aside a barricade at the National World War II Memorial, where nearly 200 veterans were waiting to enter Wednesday.

The veterans — most from Kansas City, Mo., many wearing medals won in battle and some in wheelchairs — shook hands and thanked the representatives for ensuring they could see the memorial despite the partial government shutdown. But some also pointedly questioned how Congress could let this happen.

“It’s crazy seeing those people out there wanting to come in and not being able to come in,” said Ted Gault, from Kansas City, Mo., who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. “And then you meet the senators or representatives who are out here and they’re the ones who are causing the damn problem.”

It was Gault’s first time seeing the memorial built to honor him and other WWII veterans. The 89-year-old and his son strolled through the granite plaza and reflected at the memorial’s fountain, which has been turned off.

The memorial was among the 401 national parks closed because of the partial government shutdown, which began Tuesday.

The controversy over access to parks has sparked a backlash, prompting the White House to weigh in and calls for an investigation.

According to the donor-funded Honor Flight Network, which brings veterans to the capital to visit memorials, more than 3,500 veterans are scheduled to travel to Washington this month on Honor Flights.

An earlier Honor Flight group was escorted past the barricades on Tuesday.

The National Park Service said Wednesday it has not tried to stop veterans from entering the National World War II Memorial.

Spokeswoman Carol Johnson said she’s unaware of any plan in place to stop the veterans or any other groups from breaching the federal barriers.

Between Oct. 18 and 20, Honor Flight San Diego will visit Washington with 85 World War II veterans. Shutdown or not, the busy itinerary includes a stop at the memorial.

“We will do our best to make our way in there,” said David A. Smith, Honor Flight San Diego’s chairman and co-founder.

The organization has contacted three members of Congress from San Diego County — Reps. Duncan Hunter, Darrell Issa and Susan Davis — to ensure access.

“Given the age of our veterans, and this group is from their late 80s to their mid-90s, this will likely be their only opportunity to see this,” Smith said.

Concerns have grown that an extended shutdown could lead to greater outcry at the National Mall and other parks around the country.

During the last government shutdown in 1995-96, which lasted 28 days, the outcry was so great over national park closures that the Republican governor of Arizona sent National Guard troops to the Grand Canyon in an attempt to keep the park open.